Sunday, May 17, 2009
In the land of the rising sun. I'm trying to recuperate as much as I can today. Just staying in and lazing out. It's funny everything I log on to now, is in nihongo, help.

It's been great. Winnie's been a really nice host, it's nice to begin with for letting us crowd in her one-person apartment. Thank you really. I feel bad wasting space in her tiny place. Haha. Maybe I should treat her to dinner later. Miaos.

Often asked if I plan to stay on in Japan. I really don't know, I want to, at least for a year or so and see where it brings me next. But it's really the language barrier. I mean to get with the flow with the culture, it's not that hard, I've been learning since a while back. Well it kinda helps too when Japanese think that you are a Japanese, just that when they keep sprouting Japanese in your face, you can only smile and nod.

Let's do a quick summary shall we?

Kyoto is really a beautiful town. Maybe a lil too beautiful? In a commercialized manner? Yeah, it's a town made for tourists, I hate the fact that the temples aren't even that functional. But well, it was not like I was gonna stay there for years, I am a days-tourist too myself, I'm glad I visited a number of the UNESCO sites. Shrines and temples are really beautiful there, though it sucks that every temple required an entrance fee, see what I mean about tourist town? And no, your student pass does not work at all. But yes, it's definitely a must-go, once in your lifetime. Gion is charming, really charming.

Next stop was Osaka. Isn't that big a difference from Tokyo. Shopping isn't that great, there isn't that much too see as well. It was great to see Dontoburi and that was pretty it for me. I'm too captivated by city lights, other things do not entice me as much. But food is definitely awesome. I don't have that much to say about Osaka, I don't think I have seen a lot there as well.

When I reached Tokyo and spent quiet days alone in Tokyo, I finally understood why I have always wanted to live here and why many others always wanted to live here. It really is a metropolis that has this aura that you can't compare to elsewhere. Each of the metropolis around the world has a different flavor on their own definitely, but clearly I am just speaking of Tokyo right now. The scene here is vibrant, the crowd is exciting. Unlike London which I saw recently as well, people are just too gloomy for their own good. Yes, they know how to have fun too but it is just not the same. I love neon lights so much, I love billboards so much. I am almost feel so touched each time I see the Shibuya crossing. It is definitely awesome.

Oh ya, I met Ninomiya from Arashi, how cool. HAHA! And the people I've met are funny, weird. I love all these encounters be it in Bangkok, London, Wales, Shanghai, wherever. It is slowly becoming a habit isn't it? Talking to strangers, finding out about their lives, taking the excuse of being a foreigner and wanting to know more. But this round, I really wish I spoke the language. I mean when I was in Phuket and Bangkok, I did not really meet-meet people, I didn't feel it as bad and they spoke more English than the Japanese but yeah, I feel it this time round quite badly.

Anyway, embarking on the 2nd half of the trip soon. Will be back to talk about it soon.